Fish traps are called Makarr in our language. They were made by men only. Our fathers and uncles used to make them with the lawyer vine. They stripped the stems and then soaked them in the river to keep them soft and bendy. They also had a special way of weaving the fish traps. They used them in the river to catch eels, jungle perch, fresh water catfish and turtle. To attract fish our old people used to sprinkle rain forest berries as bait over the trap.
Janbal (Quandong) is good bush tucker. We gather the fruit from August to January when they are sweet and soft. The kernel of the fruit is very pretty and we often use it to make body adornments such as necklaces and earrings.
Janbal (Quandong) is good bush tucker. We gather the fruit from August to January when they are sweet and soft. The kernel of the fruit is very pretty and we often use it to make body adornments such as necklaces and earrings.
Kalawan (goanna) is a secret (ceremony) story.
:Kalawan stays in mud surrounded by stone. Kalawan is active during the wet season but may hibernate underground during the yekke time – the colder, drier months of May – August.
When people go into the spear grass country to collect pandanus to make mandjabu (fish trap) and marebu (floor mats) they may encounter Kalawan. People respect his place.”
Janet Kalidjan Marawarr in conversation with Jessica Stalenberg 04.06.25
Common name: Gould’s Sand Monitor.